GLASGOW, KY – It was a monumental day for southern Kentucky. Access to healthcare has always been the focus of TJ Regional Health. With an investment of $6,875,300.00, that access just improved tremendously. TJ Regional Health CEO Neil Thornbury and Board of Directors, state and local leaders and lawmakers along with Congressman Brett Guthrie and TJ Regional Staff all took part in a celebration to announce the Third Floor Expansion of the TJ Health Pavilion in Glasgow.
Glasgow Mayor Henry Royse noted, as a board member and civil servant, it’s very rare that out of 15 projects to be awarded by federal funding in the 2nd congressional district, two of those projects were in Barren County. The federal funding amount for the expansion is $2.1 million. The city of Glasgow also was awarded a $1 million project to upgrade lighting at the Glasgow Airport. Congressman of the 2nd district Brett Guthrie tells WCLU News that the facility expansion will serve more than just Barren County where it’s located.
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In addition to the funds from the federal government, $2 million was allocated by state lawmakers for the project. As TJ serves as a regional hub for healthcare, it was supported by State Representatives Steve Riley, Amy Neighbors, and Shawn Mcpherson in the House. Senator David Givens worked very hard to get this project approved in the State Senate, as well. Riley is quoted as saying, “he carried this for the senate”, commenting on Senator Givens’ work. Givens could not attend the event, because his son was graduating.
Riley was happy to see the funding come to southern Kentucky, as he spoke on the importance of access to healthcare.
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Glasgow Mayor Henry Royse, who has also served for 25 years on the organizations Board of Directors, spoke on his perspective from both the government side of funding and the healthcare side of continuing to meet the needs of the community.
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Royse also served as interim CEO of T.J. Samson in 2014.
With the TJ Health Pavilion encountering “more than 1,000 patients” on “any given day”, according to a press release from the healthcare provider, the growth has substantiated the expansion, according to CEO Neil Thornbury. “With nearly three million patient encounters since the T.J. Health Pavilion opened in 2013, it is abundantly clear that more clinical space is essential for our patients and medical staff. We applaud all of our federal and state legislators for seeing the need for this expansion and for their unwavering support of our requests”, said Thornbury.
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Representative Riley also noted that T.J. Regional Health was able to receive the funds because they are a non-profit healthcare organization.
In the press release, General Surgeon Dr. Michael Saridakis M.D. added, “the medical staff truly appreciates the level of engagement and support of our legislators for the expansion of the Pavilion.”
